The National Assembly’s Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) has recommended cutting D61.9 million from the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) proposed 2027 budget, which could reduce the electoral body’s allocation from D669.7 million to D607.8 million.
The proposed cut is contained in the committee’s consolidated report on the government’s 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. It targets the IEC’s recurrent expenditure, while leaving its development budget unchanged.
According to the report, the committee proposed reducing the commission’s recurrent budget by D61,907,375 following its review of the proposed allocation.
“Following its review, the Committee proposed a reduction of the sum of D61,907,375 from the budget of the Independent Electoral Commission’s recurrent budget. However, the development budget remains unchanged,” the report stated.
The IEC had requested a total of D669,704,458 for the 2027 fiscal year. If the National Assembly approves FPAC’s recommendation, the commission’s budget will fall to D607,797,083.
The recommendation comes as FPAC examines proposed government spending for the 2027 fiscal year, with its recommendations still awaiting approval by the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the committee has proposed changes to the Public Service Commission’s budget, including an additional allocation for vehicle purchases.
FPAC recommended reallocating D800,000 within the commission’s recurrent budget towards the purchase of vehicles.
The committee also recommended an additional D6.2 million to purchase two vehicles for the commission’s vice chairperson to support the commission’s operations.
The proposed changes form part of the committee’s wider review of government spending plans for 2027.
While the IEC faces a potential reduction in its recurrent allocation, the Public Service Commission could receive additional funding for vehicles if the recommendations are approved.
The final allocations will depend on the National Assembly’s decision on the committee’s recommendations as lawmakers consider the government’s proposed expenditure for the coming fiscal year.